Lagos State Government is working on equipping its Forensic Centre with Chemistry and Toxicology units to strengthen criminal investigations in the state.

Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Justice, Funlola Odunlami said this at the fourth Lagos Forensic Symposium at Victoria Island, Lagos, saying the unit which would be operational by twenty-twenty would help government to uncover the illegal use of controlled substances and drugs in the state.

According to Odulami, the inclusion of the forensic chemistry and toxicology checks would enhance criminal investigations in the state and also speedy up the identification and conviction of perpetrators of cases related to intake of poisonous and harmful substances in the body.

She said the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre located at Odunlami area of Lagos Island had played significant role in investigating over one hundred cases of deaths, identification of exhumed human remains, rape and burglary since commencement of operations in twenty-seventeen.

Odulami said the forensic centre had also investigated about three hundred cases of paternity and other heredity related issues, saying Nigeria “had finally joined the international community’s efforts in applying scientific methods to prosecution, defence, law enforcement, criminal investigations, national security and disaster management.”

She said the symposium was aimed at providing the public with information on the role of forensic science in criminal investigation and its importance to law enforcement agencies and the judiciary on mass fatalities, sexual assault, and other issues.

Lagos State Police Commissioner, Zubairu Muazu said the introduction of forensic science had helped in utilising Criminal Speciality Law in investigating criminal identities and exonerate the innocent persons.

Muazu, who spoke through Deputy Police Commissioner CID, Yetunde Alonge, said investment in forensic investigation showed the visionary leadership of the Lagos State Government, urging participants to tap into the wealth of knowledge of the professionals that spoke at the symposium.

Also, the Director of Lagos State DNA & Forensic Centre, Doctor Richard Somiari, said Lagos State DNA and Forensic was the only laboratory accredited for Forensic DNA analysis in Nigeria.

Somiari said the database accelerates the process of identifying victims of crimes, linking crimes to one another and also identifying serial offenders.

While commending the Police Force collaboration effort with the Centre, the Director said forensic services were also available to NGOs, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors and other members of the public.

It will be recalled that the Lagos State Forensic Centre was established in 2017 to aid criminal investigation through DNA analysis.

Participants at the 4th Forensic Symposium includes Judges, Magistrates, Lawyers, Legislators, Police, Immigration, Customs, Investigators, Forensic Pathologist/Scientists, Medical practitioners, Emergency Responders, Fire Brigade, Investigative Journalists, Students and the Press.